James Meredith

James Meredith’s seclusion from childhood racism put a late start to his Civil Rights work compared to some of his fellow activists. Even so, he was still a high school student when his first taste of being an African American in Mississippi took place (see Early Life). It wasn’t until 1961, at the age of 28, that James Meredith’s name became known in the world of Civil Rights.

 

After making two attempts to enroll in the University of Mississippi, Meredith took his cause to the next level; he brought it to court. After being dismissed at the District Court, Meredith kept at it until it finally reached the Supreme Court. It was there that Justice Hugo Black ordered that Meredith be allowed to enter the school. It was no surprise to learn that the Brown vs. Board of Education was what inspired Meredith throughout his career.

 

It was in 1962 that James Meredith made his third attempt in entering the University of Mississippi. He faced angry mobs of students and community members as well as riots that eventually led to the death of two bystanders. And with Mississippi Governor Ross Barnett trying to stand in his way despite the orders of the Supreme Court, President Kennedy was forced to order that the National Guard assist Meredith inside the building. It was on October 1, 1962 that James Meredith officially became the first African American Student to attend the University of Mississippi.

 

In 1966, Meredith took yet another step in helping his fellow African Americans in Mississippi. At the time in Mississippi, African American’s were allowed to vote, but most refused too because of the violence that took place. Meredith saw the problem it caused, and came up with a solution. James Meredith organized a 250 mile “March Against Fear”; the fear of violence at the polls. The march would stretch from the Tennessee-Mississippi border to Jackson, Mississippi. It was only one day into the march, on June 6th, when Meredith was shot by Aubrey James Norvell. After being sent to the hospital, Martin Luther King along with with two others arrived to take over the march on Meredith’s behalf. On June 25th, James Meredith was able to return to the march, and just on time. Meredith, King, and all of the marchers arrived in Jackson, Mississippi on June 26, 1966.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Meredith was an important activist in the Civil Rights Movement and yet few people know his name and everything that he did to help. He helped the African Americans in Mississippi to become less afraid of the violence at the voting polls, and integrated the University of Mississippi. Constance Baker Motley had this to say about James Meredith and his cause: “Had it not been for James Meredith, who was willing to risk his life, the University of Mississippi would still be all white.”